U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank Kick Off Go Direct Month in Houston

Governor, Local Banks and Organizations Promote Social Security Direct Deposit

HOUSTON -- On Thursday, Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank officially launch their Go Direct campaign, which coincides with the commencement Gov. Rick Perry's proclamation that February is Go Direct Month in Texas. Gov. Perry, along with local banks, and various community organizations, support this initiative. Events scheduled throughout the month are aimed at helping to educate people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments about the benefits of direct deposit and to encourage them to switch to electronic payment. Events scheduled for the first week of Go Direct Month are as follows:

Thursday, February 3

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Houston-area banks will hold informational events in local branches to help people sign up for direct deposit. A number of additional banks are equipping their tellers with the information necessary to enroll people for direct deposit. The following banks will be holding events:

• Laredo National Bank -- seven branches
• Banco Popular -- one branch
• Guaranty Bank -- 29 branches
• Washington Mutual -- 19 branches

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Bordersville Senior Center will hold a BinGo Direct event, where seniors can play bingo while learning about direct deposit in a fun and social environment. 19301 Hightower Rd. Humble, TX

Friday, February 4

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Settegast Senior Center will hold a BinGo Direct event, where seniors can play bingo while learning about direct deposit in a fun and social environment. 8100 Kenton Rd., Houston, TX

Direct deposit is a safer, faster and easier way for people to receive their money. Additionally, converting the 106,600 Houston residents who still receive their benefits by check to direct deposit could save nearly $800,000 in taxpayer dollars annually.

For more information on these events or the Go Direct campaign, or to arrange an interview with any of the organizations involved, call September Wade at (972) 830-4770 or Kendra Matathia at (512) 794-4718.

Go Direct has established websites in English and Spanish, www.GoDirect.org, and www.DirectoASuCuenta.org, and toll-free numbers to help people sign up for direct deposit: (800) 333-1795 (English) and (800) 333-1792 (Spanish).